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    Reigning NASCAR champion Larson is eliminated as Bell claims victory in Charlotte

    Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell secures his place in the Round of 8 playoffs for the 2022 NASCAR Championship following a dramatic win at the Charlotte Motorsport Speedway

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    Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell kept his 2022 NASCAR championship hopes alive by winning the Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motorspeedway, on a day when reigning champion Kyle Larson was eliminated from the playoffs.

    Bell entered the weekend as a long shot to continue in the playoffs, with the Oklahoma native 45 points away from the cut-off line. However, a smartly executed strategy saw Bell overtake Kevin Harvick on lap 111 and cruise to victory despite not having the fastest car on the day.

    The race was a relatively tame affair until lap 103, when a caution was called to recover debris from the circuit.

    Bell was able to pass Tyler Reddick at the restart and eventually Harvick to claim a crucial win.

    Bell’s victory directly impacted Larson, with the current champion languishing to a 35th-placed finish, and missing out on the playoffs by two points.

    Bell hails tyre gamble as reason for win

    Despite not having the fastest car on the day, Bell was able to overcome his car’s deficiencies at the Charlotte roval by executing a well-timed tyre strategy.

    Credit also has to go to Bell’s crew chief Adam Stevens, who took advantage of two late caution periods by bringing his driver in on lap 105 and enabling him to attack the leaders with seven laps remaining.

    CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 09: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 09, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

    “Man, you’ve just got to be there at the end of these things,” Bell said following his victory.

    “I keep watching all these races where the fastest car doesn’t always win. No secret that road courses have not been our strength this year.

    “We were just there at the right time. We obviously weren’t in position to win (before taking tyres). We rolled the dice, gambled, and it paid off for us.”

    Larson admits elimination was his own doing

    While disappointed Hendrick Motorsports’ Larson admitted he hasn’t had the best of seasons and accepted the outcome citing the number of mistakes he’s made over the course of the year.

    “I just made way too many mistakes all year long,” Larson said following the result.

    “Made another one today. Ultimately cost us an opportunity to go chase another championship.

    “Just extremely mad at myself. I let the team down a number of times this year, and let them down in a big way today.”

    Briscoe sneaks into the Round of 8

    The other driver who found himself on the right side of fortune was Stewart-Haas Racing driver Chase Briscoe.

    Briscoe was outside of the top 20 when the race restarted on lap 111, but was able to take advantage of a combination of factors including a spin by Austin Cindric, and some resolute defending form his teammate Cole Custer, with Briscoe, ultimately finishing ninth and advancing to the next round of the playoffs.

    “I had no idea we were even going to have a shot (on the final restart),” Briscoe said after the race.

    “Truthfully, I knew we were probably out. I saw the 2 (Cindric) wreck, I thought maybe there’s still a chance.

    “We had so much fresher tyres than anybody. (Crew chief) Johnny (Klausmeier) pumped them way up to qualifying pressures, let me go attack, have the ball in my hands.”

    The championship picture

    The other drivers eliminated from the Round of 12 were Penske driver Cindric, Trackhouse’s Daniel Suarez, and Hendrick MotorsportsAlex Bowman.

    The drivers joining Bell in the Round of 8 playoffs are Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Briscoe

    Bank of America Roval 400 Top 10 Results

    Pos.DriverTeamTime
    1Christopher BellJoe Gibbs Racing2:59’54.010
    2Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas Racing+1.790
    3Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs Racing+1.976
    4A.J. AllmendingerKaulig Racing+3.136
    5Justin HaleyKaulig Racing+4.635
    6Chris BuescherRFK Racing+4.974
    7Bubba Wallace23XI Racing +5.442
    8Tyler ReddickRichard Childress Racing+6.839
    9Chase BriscoeStewart-Haas Racing+6.973
    10Austin DillionRichard Childress Racing+8.329

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